NEWS 8 Investigates a locksmith? While Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and the Transportation Security Administration spend millions of dollars on the latest in post-9/11 security, some experts say they are overlooking — if not ignoring — a serious flaw in their system.

It is a weak link in a chain in the airport's older terminals that could render all the high tech safeguards useless, putting lives at risk.

The lines, screening and scans for airport visitors can be an unpleasant, expensive and time-consuming experience. But it is the primary safety net for thwarting a terrorist threat.

In some cases, only those with hyper-clearance use hand scan technology to pass from non-secure to super-secure areas.

But just across the hall, inside a public stairwell door, at the top of the stairs, attached to a door, is a security device that defies 21st century technology: a lock and key.

It was noticed by one airport worker who wishes to have his identity protected. He calls the technology "obsolete." He says it's technology that has been around since 1973, and the key that is currently being used is not patent protected or restricted.

That means anyone can get the key in question — called a Best key — duplicated.

The real problem is that the locked door leads to the roof, bypassing all security systems and offering access to many sensitive areas such as electrical rooms, central air handlers, critical valves and electronics — not to mention the most critical area of all, the tarmac.

"Someone could get direct access to a plane by using one of these keys and antiquated lock system," said the source.

The key question, however, who has access?

According to our insider: "One hundred people have access to these keys in just one terminal, and there are at least three that have the old 'Best' lock-and-key system."

That could mean hundreds of keys capable of by-passing security.

Could the wrong person obtain one and have it copied?

The key says "duplication prohibited" right on the head of the key. But it took News 8 less than five minutes to randomly select a professional locksmith who made five copies — including a key that, at one point, was designated as a grand master key capable of unlocking multiple doors, bypassing security at the older D/FW terminals.

In our case, the locksmith never saw the original grand master key; the copies were generated by simply providing a code number.

The D/FW insider says he tried to sound the alarm numerous times before bringing the issue to News 8. "It's been brought to their attention by some people, people who matter," the source said. "People who know what the problem is have asked for action and nothing has been done."

Security specialist Bill Besse of Andrews International says it's shocking to him that airport officials would not have changed the lock cores or moved to a more sophisticated electronic system immediately after 9/11.

"If you've compromised the lock-and-key system, you've compromised a very basic part of the overall basic security system, and so consequently the entire system has been weakened," Besse said.

D/FW Airport officials say this is the first they have heard of a possible weak link in their key-and-lock security system. When News 8 brought it to their attention, officials acknowledged the problem and are promising a fix.

"We've always said passengers and workers are part of the security matrix," said D/FW spokesman David Magana. "They are part of our eyes and ears, and so we would want to know anything that concerns anyone, anything that looks suspicious."

D/FW officials say they want to assure the public there are multiple layers of security in play, and added there is no evidence that these old locks have led to any security breaches or pose any real danger to the public.

That said, those officials have already started to replace and improve the lock system in response to this story.

locksmiths guilds : BRIDGEPORT - Although the Coopers, buggy-makers and blacksmiths, once contemporaries have faded in the decades since its founding, Karpilow Safe & Lock Co. has recently expanded into the 21 Century.

"Three families have heard," said Rick Bayuk, current owners of the company that from 2410 to 4490 Main St. Main St. this spring. He said the company was founded in 1870 as Moulton Locksmiths Karpilow Jacob Karpilow and partners. Karpilow The family sold it in 1956 to Bill Green Mountain, which sold it to Bayuk in 2000.

For Bayuk, it is not so much a story of survival, but for consistency. He said the company offers what it always, service and competence.

Karpilow still installed locks and keys, but the types of locks have been changed, he said. Nearly 80 percent of sales come from companies in the installation of security locks, including electronic devices. The company had almost $ 800,000 in gross sales last year.

The three residential locksmith still calls, but the company is also the guidelines for the customers, the locks on the storage and not the installation itself, he said. A service call to install an affordable lock can nearly $ 100, Bayuk said, because of the way locks are today. It is easier and cheaper to replace, but rather than fix the lock, but locks have been broken can be fixed.

Kamal Upadhyaya, a University of New Haven professor of economics, it is not a bad time for a locksmith.

"Security is a problem," he said. "People want to be safe."

Upadhyaya said, because there is a rise in unemployment, many people are concerned about burglaries. He could not say what kind of future, have locksmith.

Bayuk said Home Safety is an important part of the business. He has strengthened the Deadbolt and door frames of houses, which have entered the door in. He noted that some insurers will receive a discount of homeowner five percent to 10 percent in their own politics, if they install Deadbolt.

There are also more security for homeowners who want a locksmith, he said.

Locksmiths are required to register with the state, he said, this is a legal move, he approved. He said there were too many scam artists as a locksmith and the people's money through bait and switch tricks. Bayuk and his locksmith with the state and are members of the Association of Locksmiths of America.

The company also safe on the business activities of the year 2004, when Bayuk company bought a safe from a former employee Karpilow.

There is a new part of the business, but Bayuk says he enjoys it and has learned a lot. He said his locksmith can about 65 percent of the safes without drilling into it, and, unlike Paul Newman, the famous actor played Butch Cassidy in the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," Karpilow not use dynamite.

"That was my favorite scene," he said, he recalled how Newman's character is used too much dynamite to a rail car safe and blew the motor.

Bayuk said the majority of safes can be opened by contacting the manufacturer or duplicate keys to find. Locksmith employs stay in slump : locksmiths guilds